Virgin River season 5 is upon us, transporting viewers to the remote California town of Virgin River. But is Virgin River a real place or one of fiction? Here's everything you need to know about where the hit Netflix romantic drama is filmed.

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Where is Virgin River filmed?

Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan and Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan Brady in Virgin River standing on a construction site
Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan and Benjamin Hollingsworth as Dan Brady in Virgin River. Netflix

Despite the fact the series is set in California, the bulk of filming for the series actually takes place in Vancouver, Canada while other locations used include Burnaby, Port Coquitlam and Squamish.

According to Conde Nast Traveller, "typical small-town scenes in the region" are used for establishing shots of the town, with the Welcome to Virgin River shot on Pioneer Avenue in Agassiz.

Meanwhile, British Columbia’s Snug Cove is another location used – with Virgin River becoming the latest project to be shot at the site following films including Bird On A Wire, the 2006 remake of The Wicker Man and 2009's The Uninvited.

Believe it or not, Mel's cabin is actually a real home – and is currently lived in by the caretaker of Murdo Frazer Park in North Vancouver, while Doc's home is a five-bedroom Victorian house in New Westminster.

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Is Virgin River a real place?

Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan on the phone, Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe in Virgin River standing behind.
Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan, Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe in Virgin River. Netflix

In the series, Virgin River is a remote town located in northern California with small, tight-knit population.

Unfortunately for fans hoping to visit the idyllic-looking town, Virgin River is not a real place – so don't book your plane ticket just yet. Filming for the series takes place predominantly in Vancouver, Canada.

Where is Virgin River set?

Virgin River might be so well-realised that it feels like a real place to some fans, but it is actually an entirely fictional town.

Unfortunately, no town called Virgin River actually exists in Northern California, so if you're looking to follow in Mel's footsteps by starting a new life in a remote town, you'll have to look elsewhere.

Robyn Carr, who wrote the popular novels on which the series is based, previously told Entertainment Weekly she is frequently asked where the town is, saying she has "to remind them that it only exists in our hearts and mind".

However, Carr does believe the feel of Virgin River can be just about anywhere.

"But to further that thought, we can have that sense of community in our own neighbourhood or school or church group or community center or library association," she added. "All we have to do is try to create it."

Virgin River season 5 part 1 comes to Netflix on Thursday 7th September, with previous seasons available to stream on Netflix. Check out our lists of the best series on Netflix and the best movies on Netflix – or see what else is on with our TV Guide. Visit our Drama hub for all the latest news.

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